Preparing for examsANU Academic SkillsANU Counselling Centre
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Before
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• Where are exams held?• How do I find out when they are on?• What can I take in?• What if I’m sick?• What if I need special assistance?
www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams
Find out the ANU rules
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• What type of exam?• What type of questions?• How long?• What’s it worth?
www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams
Find out all you can about your exams
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Semester planning: Break down your tasks
anu.edu.au/academicskills
Expectation Reality
Summarising and note-taking…
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Cornell note-taking system
Cue column: for comments/definitions/connections/items for follow-up etc
Summary section: what was the key message/theme of the lecture?
Notes section:Add in notes where the slides aren’t clear. Underline, asterisk, circle
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Self Care
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the exam
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Exam study schedule
anu.edu.au/academicskills
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Revision technique Exam type
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What is a successful revision activity you have used in the past?
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• Library website – limited number of past exam papers:●http://anulib.anu.edu.au/collections/past-exam-papers
• Course textbook practice questions• Library textbooks• Create your own●https://quizlet.com/
• Form peer study groups to quiz and support each other’s learning
Practicing
ANU
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●Allocate approximate time for each section/question●Order to answer●Consider your plan of attack for each question type●Allow reading and planning time
Make an exam plan
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Sample plan for 3 hour exam
question type value total time approx. time per question
30 multiple choice 30% 45 mins 1½ mins
10 short answer 30% 50 mins 5 mins
1 essay 40% 65 mins -
Time to review answers - 20 mins -
Be flexible with your plan – in case of nasty surprises!
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What approaches have you used to complete exams in the past?
Managing Exam AnxietyANU Counselling Talking Tips and Mental Health Resources
www.anu.edu.au/counsel
These resources will teach you how to recognise useful anxiety and how to "wrangle" the unhelpful; enhancing your optimal performance during exams.
There are also general anxiety management tips and strategies explored that may be of help during exam situations.
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During
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What not to do!
• Answer: All of the above
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• Answer every question• Ensure every answer is on point• Use all the time allocated
What to do!
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Read carefully and stick to the question• Sample short answer question (Archaeology):• You are interested in excavating a shell midden in South Australia. Who
might you need to consult before you could implement such a task. Why?
ANU
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effectively: • Which order will you answer the questions in?
• How will you deal with questions you don’t know?
Using your time
From: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/375980268867328906/
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• The three pass method-Which answers do you know? – 1st pass-Which do you think you might know? – 2nd pass-Which are you completely unsure of? – 3rd pass
During the exam
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notes for any incomplete answers
During the exam
From: https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Last-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B00BX49C3S
There’s a twist …
From: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/422775483742402878/
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Tips for sitting online tests• Do much of what we’ve already discussed, e.g. keep to time, use all the time available, answer concisely and on point
• In addition: Create an optimal work space Comfortable, well-lit, free from distractions, reliable internet
Disable notifications on your computer/phone and close other programsUse note paper to brainstorm, jot down thoughts and ideas,
and keep a record of unanswered questions ANU
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After
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• How useful were your notes?• Did you use the best revision strategy?• Was your exam plan successful?• What was your worst experience and what did you learn from that?
Reflection
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ANU Counselling➢Free Counselling Sessions➢No referral required➢Confidential➢Professional➢Next Day Appointments – every week day➢Group programs ➢Web resourcesTo make an appointment:• T: 02 6178 0455• Level 3, Health and Wellbeing Building 156, Kambri – next to Club Lime• Opening hours –please check our webpage• General enquires -E: [email protected]
• http://www.anu.edu.au/students/contacts/counselling-centre
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Groups: Everyday Mindfulness (this is a 4 week course) Working Well with PerfectionismAchieving Your GoalsStress and Anxiety GroupMore information or registration visit:
ANU Counselling
Phone (voice calls only): 1300 050 327SMS Text message service: 0488 884 170
ANU Crisis Support Line – after hours support
https://www.anu.edu.au/students/health-safety-wellbeing/counselling/anu-counselling/group-programs-and-workshops
anu.edu.au/academic